What is it that everyone hates about roof racks? Taking them on and off all the time. And why do we all end up doing that? Because when your not using them to lug loads around they have no benefit, and lots of drawbacks. They whistle, generate wind noise, reduce fuel consumption, and affect performance. We wanted to build an ultra low profile roof rack which complements the style of the Discovery 3, offers all the practicality of a full length expedition rack, but can stay on the car all the time. Something which was lightweight but with high load capacity, and was silent and unobtrusive. And I think we've done it!

We started by digitally scanning the roof of the Discovery 3 into our CAD package. From this we could design the exact shape we wanted for the rack, check its final weight, and even load it up to make sure it was strong enough, all on the computer. Having tailored the design, we could set about building. Using specalist roll cage tubing allowed us to make the roof rack very strong but light, and with our Baileigh RDB-250 tube bender and R-M55 roll bender, we could guarantee the level of accuracy we required for the build.

At under 23kgs without a floor, and under 35kgs with an aluminium floor this is one of the lighest full length racks available for the Discovery 3. Yet with a capacity of over 200kgs, it is a true heavyweight. We have designed the rack to sit as close to the roof line as possible, and follow every curve, allowing us to make the most streamlined roof rack yet. The front is shaped as a wind deflector making sure that fuel consumption and performance are hardly affected, and the rack is almost silent at motorway cruising speeds.

Over the next few weeks we will be putting the rack to the test, making sure it is ready to recieve our Lifetime Warranty, and soon it will be available to buy.

Keep a look out for this and other Discovery 3 accessories like suspension lifts, sill guards and raised air intakes. All designed to be functional yet discreet, coming soon.

National sports journalist overcomes obstacles and last-minute hitches to win class in tough Welsh rally

Tom  Cary,  Formula  One  correspondent  for  the  Daily  Telegraph  newspaper,  achieved  an amazing first-in-class finish on his rally debut in the Pro Art Signs Swansea Bay National Rally in Wales on Saturday 18 July.

Teaming up with Sky Sports presenter and rally driver Tony Jardine, Cary from Wandsworth in London, made a startling rookie debut by winning first place in the two-wheel-drive class and finishing  eleventh  overall  as  he  started  his  quest  to  become  a  fully-fledged  internationally licensed co-driver in time for Rally Scotland in November.

Despite a major glitch late on Friday night before the start of the rally Cary managed to keep his  cool  whilst  insurance  wrangles  threatened  a  non-start  for  the  journalist  in  his  vital  first event.  At  the  eleventh  hour  matters  were  resolved  and  reserve  co-driver  Michael  Weeks, Competitions  Manager  of  the  Southern  Car  Club,  was  asked  to  stand  down  as  Cary  once again prepared mentally to start his first rally.

Amazingly  the  new  duo  of  Jardine  and  Cary  found  themselves  fighting for a class win and, despite a puncture which necessitated a rapid wheel change from the new team mates, the Kumho-shod Castrol Fiesta was soon on its way to a podium finish. Driving in the Daily Telegraph-supported ProSpeed team run by Olly Marshall, Tony Jardine was impressed by his new co-driver Tom Cary on his very first event. “Tom has had just four hours of tuition at the Silverstone Experience Centre with an instructor and his mentor World Champion  rally  co-driver  Robert  Reid.  Despite  this  I  was  really  impressed  by  his  general understanding of his complex job and how quickly he got to grips with rally timing, navigation and  pace  note  calling.  I  have  a  very  strong  feeling  Tom  will  become  a  very  competent international co-driver.”

ProSpeed team boss Olly Marshall commented, “Tony has brought quite a few media partners to the ProSpeed team over the years but never has one made such a successful debut as Tom Cary. He not only won the two-wheel drive category, he also won his class and he impressed myself and the team. I hope he can keep this up for the next event in early September – lets hope he can cope with the time gap. It is very rare for us to suffer a puncture, as our Kumho tyres are not only tough but they provide fantastic grip. However, Tony and Tom were really hanging it out over the last two stages and clearly picked up a flint in the undergrowth – I wish Tony would learn to drive more tidily.”

Arai  helmets  rushed  through  a  replacement  crash  helmet  for  journalist  Cary  after  his  initial helmet proved to be too small in size, compressing his forehead. Once he obtained the correct fit, Tom was very comfortable with his new safety kit including his Alpinestars fireproof suit, and seemed to fit instantly into the rally environment.

 Tom Cary said, “I had a great team around me and everything just seemed to gel but it was incredibly hard work - quite unlike anything I have been used to in any other sport. But it was such a thrill I am sure I am going to be able to convey that to our readers – now I’m really up for the next event, the Woodpecker Rally in early September.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photography: Mark Simpson / CMWI